Sparking device.



DEL-872,675 PATENTED NOV. 26. 1907. H. A. MILLER & B. G. GILBOUGH.

SPARKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION nun $1313.14. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

UNITED srnrns PATENT 015 1 101111 HARRY A. MILLER, OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, AND BENJAMIN Gr. GILBOUGH, OF

. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SPARRING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 1907.

Zippiication iiled February 14:. 1906.' Serial No. 30144103, I I

To all whom/it may concern;

Be 1t known that we, lit-12m? A. MIL ER and BENJAMIN G. Gn'ilaooorr, citizens of the United States, residing, respectively, at

Pasadena and Chicago, 111 the counties of Los Angeles and Cook and States of Galifornia and Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Sparking id ot/ices, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to sparlnngmlevices of the general character disclosed in Patent No. 805,790, granted to P je{min G. Giibough November 28thy1905i.

Our primary object is to provide an im proved spark1ng-device of the type mew tioned, articular attention being paid ,to securing mobility of construct-ion and quickness of action in'making' the break between the electrodes of the device taken as indicated at v Fig. '5, a broken section illustrating a modi fication in the construction of the vibrating electrode, showrrin Fig. 1; 5 a section The invention is illustrated in the accorm panying drawings, inj:wliich Figure 1 represer'fts a broken sectional view of an ,enginecylin(ler equippedwith our improved sparking device mit s preferredembodiment, the-section, being taken as.;indicated atv line '1, Fig.

inc 2, Fig. 1; Fig13, a, section taken as indicated at line 3 of P ig. 1; Fig. 4, a broken perspective view showing the construction of the upper portion of a lever employed; Fig. 5, a perspective view of a self-releasing actuatin arm employed inconnection with the member shown in Fig 4;

taken as indicated at line 5*, Fig. 5'; Fig. 6a sectional view showing a modified form of the invention; Fig. 7, a sectional View showing another modified form of the invention;

' Fig. 8, a perspective view of a spring-catch employed in connection with. the device shown in Fig. 7; 9; a broken plrspective view of. a member co-acting with t e member shown in Fig. 8.; Fig. 10, a broken sectional view"-'illustratifnga portionof the device shown inFig; 7, the parts being in a different position, however;5 and Fig. '11, a sectional view showing a still further. modification of the invention.

A represents-a portion of an engine-cylinder; our improved spark1ng-dev1ce In the 2; Fig. 2, a section form illustrated in Figsrl to 5 inclusive C, our improved sparking-device in the, form illustrated in Fig. 6; D, our improved sparking-device in the form illustrated in Figs. 7

to 10 inclusive; and E,-our improved sparks.

ing-device in the-form illustrated in 11.

The device B comprises a tubular plug 6 having at its upper end an external flange b a nut b having a flange-l; located beneath the flange b; a member I) having an enlarged lower or inner end connected wlth the nut b and having a cylinder '6 constituting apon tion thereof, said cylinder communicating through a port :0 with the interior of the tub lar plug 6, and hence with the engine-cylinder a piston b movable in the cylinder 6 a plug 6 Having threaded connection with the upper portion of the cylinder b and throu hwhich extends a screw 6 secured by a 100 not b, the lower end of said screw bearing upon a spring I) fitting in a. socket with w electrode b, having ball and socket connection with the member I) edjacent to one side of the base of the cylinder b; a member or head I) carried by the upp b"; an automatically dlsengageable actuating arm I; connected by pivot b with the or end of the lever 10h the-piston b is provided; a'lever-form member b and adapted to be actuated by the piston 12?," a guide I) carried by a flan e b" on the upper cad-.1) of the mom-- ber said guide pin extending 'thro h a perforation. b with which the member of the lever b is provided; a 8 ring I) encirclin the guide pin b -and a opted to hold the. ever 6" in the'position shownin Fig. 1 a' spring 6 carried by the upper portion of t e, leverfb -and bearing upon the member I),

' said spring serving1 to maintain the member I) in the path of. t e piston, as illustrated in Fig. 1; a cylinder 1) encircling the nembjer b and having screw connection at its lower .end with the lower portion of themember I)"; and a binding ost-"b"'connectedwiththe upper end I) of t e member I);

Y lhe tubularplug'bhasa'threaded ortion 1 wet portion ofwhich isequi edwith an electrode 1;, which co-acts wit end of =lever-form electrode- 1).

the 1' lower The into;

extending through the engine-cylin or, the.

letting materialb? is emplo ed to insulate the plug 6 from the remain er of thedevice.

, upper en d' of the lever being guided, by the .end of the stroke, the arm I) yielding .to on able the piston head The plug b is provided adjacent to the enginevand lower diskseoi'mected by the cylinder b ,-vi iiich.extends through a slot lfiin. the upper portion of the cylinder Z1 and into the ton.

formed during the upward stroke of the electrode b is provided with a trunnion 0" cylinder WltlI'WI'QIIGl'I receiving means, as in- (heated. The member if eonmrlses upper 6 the cylinder l'ieil'ig formed integrally with the disks at one edge of the latter, as illustrated. The ball and socket conn -ution tor the leveeform electrode b preferably is provided by providing a socket in the lower por tion of the member I), said socket having a removable section I), and by providing the lever with a'ball contained in said socket. The lever is shown formed in two sections, a lower or inner section b' and an upper or outer- 'ection b. The member 71" is rigidly connected with the outer portion I) of the lever I). Said member b is provided with. a channel I), which receives the movable tuating arm b. The member b has a ll 'nger path of the piston I). The piston is provided with a head 6 having a sloping surface?) which serves to actuate the lever I) through the medium of the member n, when the iston moves upwardly; and beneat-.11 the ead l) an annular r-hannel ii which permits the member [ft and the lever b which it aotuates to return to the normal position after the head I) has passed the finger t during the upvvari'l stroke of thepis- T be normal osition of the electrode is that indicated in Fig. 1, Where said electrode is shown out of contact with the electrode I). It will be understood, therefore, that when the piston moves upwardly it moves the upper end of the lever l) to the right from the position shown in Fig. 1, the

pin b and as'soon as the head b of the piston passes above the finger I), the lever is reaking the contact" Witlu the electrode i1 1ston. After the pressureon thelower on of thepistonb is released, the spring 5* returns the piston-to its normal position at the inner to ass the finger b In-the modification s own in Figs. 5? and 5*, 6: represents a part corresponding with the part b: and b represents a vibrating electrode iorresponding with the electrode b. In this modification, the leverddrm of cylindrical form which is received by a similarly shaped bearin formed in member I) and having a removabl section I) set into a recess 0n the lower side of the member I). The beai'i'n is formed half in the mem 'the upper on her 5 and half in the member 6, so that a gas-t1ght 0i.nt is provided. While a gas-q tight connection may be mode in this mani ner, still f r reasons which will be readily understood, the ball-joint shown in Figs 1 and 2 is preferred.

in the construetlmi. shown in Fig. 6, the device (5 romp'risi-is a tubular plug having threaded connection uith the engine-cylinder and equippedat its outer end with a flange 0; a member 0 formed. with a cylinder 1",; a not 0 connecting the member 0 with the member a piston r having at its upper portion an annular recess (1", forming'inclincd surfacesd, c; a spring 0 serving to return the piston to its normal position. at the inner end of its stroke; a tension-adjusting screw 0 connected with a cap 0 of-the cylinder c; a vibratory electrode c having balljoint connection 0 with the base of the member c,- a spring 0, tending to throw the inner end of the electrode 0' into contact with. an electrode (1' with which thelnenn bet- 0 is equip ed'; and a. cam 0" with whicl'r of the lever a is equipped. The member a is provided with a port a", connecting the interior of the tubular plug a with the interior of the cylinder 0. A re movable cylinder 0 inoloses the member c, the cylinder '0 forming a .part thereof, and the u per end of the lever c and its spring. It Wiil be seen that when the piston moves outwardly under the gas-pressure, the earn 0? will enter the recess 0., allowing the spring 0 to actuate the levergis and close the cir euit at the electrodes. Further movement of the piston in the. outward direction will cause he electrodes to separate, producing a spark at theproper moment to ignite the. compressed charge in the ,cylinder. After the pressure within the engine-cylinder is relieved, the piston c returns under: the action of its spring, again making and. breaking the circuit. inasmuch as a spark is produced during the return movement of the piston, it is evident that this LOILSFPLIUHOD has a feature of disadvantage no present in the construction shovm in Fig: 1 and 2, viz., that. the spark. produced di ring the return movement of'the piston is wasted;

In'the ei'mstructipln shown in'Fig. T, the

device I) comprisesatubular plug it having threaded cornice-hon with the engine-cylinder and equipped at its outer end with a flange rt; a member if lmvil'igfiormell integrally therewith a cylinder (0; anut (1'' connecting the member 41* to the member (I; at piston d, having at its outer portion an" annular roves; i above which is' redueed section it su'ri-mmnted by a lhmge ct; a viston spring (1, uhosv tension. is adjuster by a screw d", extending through a. cylinder (up (1; a vibrating elm-trmle (1" having ball-joint connection (1 with lhe-lms( -'|')m'ti0n of the member I! adjacent to the base of the rylilrdor d; a (mu t comm-ted with the upper and of tho lo ob -m cloctrodo; a stirrup or catch oi suopoi rod my tho loVor-form clo trodo odjs. to the com d; a 1"; owl d su.pportod 1312 o pivot iii-" ond. equipped with it tooth ii wlo 'itcd to engage the shoulder d of the stirrup d; it spring (1 serving to force the upper of the oloctrodo (2 against the piston; a-ioovablo cylinder 01 inclosing the var ous 1 .ur r: 'wliioi'i project obo'vo the base of the i ember The lsvcr at nor-- mally iiiocopiss the. position. shown in Fig 7, lower fill-Cl poroted from the tionary olootrodo 4 "the recess (Z of the istoii affords at its lowsl' side a sl 1' 2g sup ace (2 upon 'wliicl'i the com d rides d airing the .1 Wnrd movement of the piston. The cyliiincr d 'oonriscts with the, interior of the tubular plug 1i through it passage (1. :Wben the piston moves outwardly, under pressure of the in beongine-oylindcr, the com d snors roocss c3 tlmt the electric circuit is clos d at the electrodes.

Further outwwii movement of tbo piston causes tbs upper end of the lever 5 to bc -movod to tbs posititm "whereu' or; tbs ostclrc shown in Fig. 10, A! t1 5, 11c \21 "lo pa n C. en gages tie shoulder a! of tho stirrup :2, whereby the lever is looked in position until the rojoctin and of the p'swl l is encountore by the aiigc cl of tho piston during the inward motoment' of the piston. I This action occurs when tbs'piston reaches approximatcl'y the position shown in Fig. 7, allowing the lover 5 to rstorri to tho position shown in Fig. 7 obow'n, the pawl d is provided with a short arm (Z "wh ch engages a shoulder 0? on. the mombsrd and the main arm '0f the pawl is flexible to it certain degroo and of sufficiom resilience to serve as a spring, so" that the pawl will rissiuidor-its own. rosihsnce to tbs positioir shown irrFiml0, when-rslioved of the: p" rs 0 ho bongo (Z owing to'tlie outs-cred trains or to piston, The do ball i clots sb own in Figs, balbjoir not be or In tho ooristruotiocsbown in Fig. 11, the device E comprises tubolar'plug e having throodsd' ocnnsotiosiwitli the- 'enginemj liii- (161" and. oquip zsd at its outer aridv with a, flange e; a mom rovingformed intcgral'ly therewith a cylinder a; ing the bass or member 6 to the flange e; a piston a provided at its outer portion with an omiiilsr roccss 6 obovc Wbi :h is a.

i road 4? one and 2 and used flange s a pistonrspring e rvvhose tension is adjustedfby a screw e, extending through the cap c of tho cylinder a; a vibrating cloctrodc e braving ball and. socket oor nections '2 with the bass of the zriombor 6 a. spring a? connoctod with. the outer portion of tho member a" and. bs'viog s ljisaring on sistirrup by springootion.

e, carried by the cylinder e said stirrup ro serving the uppcr portion of the i'noinber e and said spring tending normally to hold the vibrating electrode out of oontaot with the stationary electrode 6 with which the tubular plug a is provided; a bell-crank lover a supported. on a stationary pivot 8" carried by 4 the member 6, and having an arm 6". r0- jooting into the path of the piston, an on arm 6 bearing upon. the upper ond: of the olootrode e; a spring 6 holding the bsllcrank lever .e normally in. the position slrovm in Fig. 11; and a cylinder 6 inolosing tho ports above the base of member a. The ball-joint construction similar to the constmotionsbown in Fig. 1. The cylinder 6 communicates through it passage 6 with the interior of the tubular-plug c. It will now be understood that when the piston e moves outwardly, owing to the pressure. or" the con'ipressocbgas in tbe-engine-cylindor, the flange e, through. the medium of the bel crank lover a, actuotes the vibratory slootrodc, IllOVillg tile latter against tbs prssouro of its spring and closing the slcotric circuit. Wren the piston mores outwardly. far enough so that tho flange e passes the mm 9 of the bell-orank lever, the prcssureis rslicved, permitting the vibratory lever under the action of its spring,v to rosumc'the position sbowil ll1 Fig. IL'tborcby interrupting thecurrent and producina spark.

In each construction, it ottsryF is j oinod by a conductor-to ths'o'uter portion. of the sparking-rclevicc and to tho onginebylinder withwhioh the inner tubulsr lug is electrically commsctod. The oircui't c osss, of course, Wbe n the electrodes arc brought into coritoct. Preferably, the. electrodes are nor mally separated, arc closed by the piston of tho sparking-device, and are scpsratod This is true stall the com. stfiictioils illustrated except the construc tions shown in Figs. 6 nd 7 whero the piston its mo'vemont. serotcs the electrodes, and theaotion of t a spring closes. them, when the position of the piston permits.

v What I regard as new and desire to seizure by Letters Patent, is: i

-1. An ignitiondevice, for the purpose set forth, comprising a cylinder adapted to communicate with tbs. enginewylindor, a, springheld gas-actuated iston movable therein, a vibratory electrod ie lexte ndin above, the base of and outside of said cy inder, agas tight bearing for said electrode, and means COIiHQC-tdwith the piston and. with. the outer endportion of the vibratory electrode for actuating the vibratory electrode.

2. An ignition device, for tli purpose set. forth, comprising a tubular plug constituting an electrode adopted for'oonncction with an -engine-cylindor, a member carried therebywith t is interior of said.

and equipped with a cylinder communicatvibratory electrode tending thrmiigli the.

' base of said member arfljacent to said cylinder, a gas-tight joint between. said electrode and. the base oi said member, a piston movable in said cylinder, and. means carried by said piston for actuating said electrode.

3. An ignition device comprising a H1611!- her adapted. for connection with an engine cylinder, a n'ieinber havlng a base-portion ,insulatingly c(. nnected with said first-named cylinder of the device, and. means actuated by said piston for moving the vibratory V electrode.

.ated piston.

4. An ignition device comprising a tubular,

l plug adapted for connection with an engine-' a cylinder and a chamber at the cylinder, I side tl'iereof' lnsulatingly mounted onc the. tubular plug, said cylinder adapted to communicatc with the en'ginecylinder, a springheld piston movable in said c linder, a vibratory electrode extending rem the interior of the tubiilar plug into said chamber, a gas-tight bearing fonsaid electrode between said chamber tubular nluggan l means located at the outer end or the pistol. and the outer end of: the vibratory electrode for mo vine: said electrode,

5. An ignition device comprising a tubular plug adapted for connection with an engine,

cylinder, acylinder and a elm-inne at the side thereof mounted on said tubulamplug, said cylinder adapted to communicateflwith the engine-cylinder, a spring-held "as-actumovable in said cylinder, a vibratoryelectrode pivoted adjacent to the base of said cylinder and having its inner end. extending into the tubular plug and its outer end extending into said chamber, a stationary electrode at the inner end of the tubular plug, yielding means for holding the vibratory electrode normally out of contact .withthe stationary electrode, "and piston actuated-rneaus servmg to move the ,v1bratoryelectrode to the closed position and then release the same to permit its return to its norm ally open position, for the purpose set forthi I j 6. An ignition device comprising; a tubular plug adapted for connection with an. enginecylinder, a member insulatingly mounted tubular plug, a p

the

and the interior of aid ver, said last-named s thereon and equipped at one side with a cylinder adapted to communicate with the engine-cylinder, a vibratory electrode extending through the baseeportion of said member adjacent to said cylinder, a ball and socket 'o int between the vibratory electrode and the base-portion of said member,

including a removable section set into the basc portion of said -member, means for housing the outer portion of the vibratory electrode, and means near the outer end of piston for moving the vibratory electrode.

7. Andgnition device comprising a tubular plug adapted for connection with anenginecylinder, a cylinder andan adjacent chamber insulatingly mounted on said'tubular plug, said cylinder ada ted to olnmunicate with the engine-cyl1n er, a vibrato electrode journaled adjacentjto the base 0' said cylinder and extendinginto said chamber,- a pivoted member adjacent to the outer end portion of said cylinder, serving. to actr te said vibratory'clectrode in one direction, and a spring-held piston Withinsai cylinder equipped at its outerend portionwith means for actuating said last-named pivoted n1emher.

I 8. An igniti n d'evice comprising a tubular plug adopted- ,orconnection with an engine cylinder, a member insulatingly mounted iereon equipped with a vcylinder projecting fronrone. si e of the baserportion thereof, said cylinder adapted to communicate with the engine-cylinder, a vibratory electrode journaled in the base ortion of said memhena-sofingyieliliflglyf 'l di'iigeaid -vipratory electrode in 1:116 open posltion, a bell-cran lever serving to actuate said electrode and having an arm projecting into the path ol sa1d\cyl1nder;-a spring serving to maintain said bell-crank lever in'the operative peel tion, and a-spring held piston.,,yw.ithin said cylinder provided' at its outerend with. a flange adapted'to actuate said belhcrank lemit idle movement- 0 amen-cran lever during the return stroke. ofthe piston. .1 j

12?. An'ignition'device comprising a tubular ylilider, a member 7 insulatingl yfrn ounte thereon comprising; a.disk-fOrinbase-portion and a disk-form top-porfiionwith a cylinder connecting said base and top-portion atone side thereof,' said cylinder adapted to com municate with the engine-cylinder, a vibratory electrode journaled-in' the b'ase portion of said nmmber','n 1eans projecting normally through the upper portion of said cylinder and serving to actuate the vibratory electrode,"a spring-held piston equipped at; its

, outer end portion with. means for actuating said last-named means, and a cylinder in ring yilil ding to per' adapted for, connectionWithanengihe v iio closin the member carried by said tubular plug, or the purpose set forth.

10. An ignition device, comprising a cylinder adapted to communicate with an enginecylinder, 2. gas-actuated piston, a vibratorye ectrode having a part presented to the charge in the engine-cylinder, and a pivotal bearing for said vibratory electrode, affording a gas-tight joint thereat.

1 1; An ignition device, comprising a oylin der adapted to communicate with an engine-c lmder, a gas-actuated piston, a vibrator'y e ec'trode, having a part presented to the charge in the engine-cylinder, and a ball-andsocket bearing for said'vibratory electrode ,15 having a removable section, for the purpose set forth.

HARRY A. MILLER. BENJAMIN G. GILBOUGH.

Witnesses as to Harry A. Miller:

- L. HEISLAR, M. S.- MACKENZIE.

Witnesses as to Benjamin G. Gilb'ough:

A. U. THORIEN, J. H. LANDES. 

